Chinese 3D printing construction company Winsun has announced they will lease 100 3D printers to a Saudi Arabian construction company in a deal they claim is worth 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion).
According to Winsun, the Saudi Arabian Al Mobty Contracting Company will receive the printers and intend to print no less than 30 million sq metres with them.
The deal was made recently in Beijing during the king of Saudi Arabia, Salman Ben Abdul Aziz Al-Shahat’s state visit.
Billion dollar deal
According to the company, Winsun will provide 3D printers as well as technical support and access to their online web platform. Apparently, the main attraction for the Saudi Arabia construction group was the ‘green technology’ associated with Winsun’s 3D printing technique. Citing the reduced amount of materials and labor costs while also the shorter construction time as positives.
We’ve seen Winsun’s 3D printed buildings before, as they created a apartment block structure back in 2015. The company is controversial however, with claims that their technology was based on the Contour Crafting method developed by Dr. Behrokh Khoshnevis.
3D printed construction
Currently there are a number of companies approaching the construction market with 3D printing technology. Russian company, Apis Cor showcased the potential of the technique as they 3D printed a house in just 24 hours recently. The single-story building was constructed in Russia and claims to illustrate the significance of the technology when combined with other more conventional processes.
Once printed, the house was fitted with a unique flat roof, insulating material and a fresh coat of yellow paint.
Apis Cor stated that the building cost them only $10,134 to produce, which is something that may have interested the Saudi Arabian construction group.
Dutch construction company, CyBe has also created a 3D printer capable of producing concrete structures. However, their offering is a more mobile device that can adapt to the difficult terrain of a construction site.
With this latest news the boom in 3D printing construction appears to be accelerating, however investors would be wise to pay close attention to the foundations of any property investment (3D printed or otherwise.)
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Featured image shows the construction of a financial district in Saudi Arabia. Photo via Bloomberg.
